Silverstone: Series spotlight on OAK Racing

Focus on ...OAK Racing

This year is definitely a turning point for OAK Racing team. Further to the change of name (the team was formerly Saulnier Racing), 2009 is the year of development, of new identity affirmation and moreover, of the sporting successes.

Third in the LMP2 category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jacques Nicolet could enjoy the podium emotion after the finish of the major endurance race in the world, together with team mates Richard Hein and Jean-Francois Yvon, on the Pescarolo-Mazda no.24. But the French team rookies have also drawn attention all along the Series rounds, climbing twice on the LMP2 podium third step on the occasion of the 1000 Km of Spa and of the Nurburgring.

OAK Racing President Jacques Nicolet says:

"2009 not only ushers in a new name for OAK Racing, but also a turning point in the team's history. I am delighted and proud of what has been achieved so far by the team, managed by Francois Sicard. This year we focused our attention on the LMP2 category and we have developed numerous synergies which have increased our effectiveness tenfold.

Our partnerships with Mazda Cars France and Dunlop have been a major success during the course of the season and Mazda have been very supportive.

With one round of the Le Mans Series season to go, things look very positive for OAK Racing who have scored three podium finishes this year; at the Spa and Nurburgring 1000kms and, just like in 2008, at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Our third place finishes at the Le Mans 24 Hours over the past two seasons showed the ability of the team to achieve success in very different circumstances, from a human and technical perspective.

We hope that the result at Silverstone will see a continuation of the progress we made at the Nurburgring, where both cars finished inside the top ten overall thanks to our performance and reliability, as we look at what strategical choices to adopt for next season."

-credit: lms